“In order to feel compassion for other people, we have to feel compassion for ourselves. In particular, to care about people who are fearful, angry, jealous, overpowered by addictions of all kinds, arrogant, proud, miserly, selfish, mean, you name it—to have compassion and to care for these people means not to run from the pain of finding these things in ourselves.”― When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
Compassion, love, and kindness are thoughts I have been ruminating on a lot lately. I love the writings and teachings of Pema Chödrön for the beautifully simple truths they contain. One of the most powerful things we can do with our time on this planet is love others. Not only in a romantic sense, but in a way of truly loving and accepting everyone around us, unconditionally, exactly as they are.
This isn't always an easy idea to grasp, but I believe it to be 100% true. Compassion for others begins with compassion for ourselves. Loving ourselves unconditionally, with all of our perceived imperfections. The truth is, we really are perfect just as we are, and all the people around us are too.
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